Stefan Nemanja

Stefan Nemanja, (born c. 1113—died c. 1200), founder of the Serbian state and the Nemanjić dynasty.

Nemanja became grand župan (clan leader) of Raška under Byzantine suzerainty in 1169. He subsequently sided with the Venetians and was eventually defeated by the avenging Byzantines, but he was pardoned. Nemanja later conquered Skopje, Prizren, and Tetovo. Though again defeated, he retained Kosovo, Peć, Prizren, Bar, Skadar (Shkodër), and Kotor. He abdicated in 1196 and joined his son, Sava, in a monastery.